The Odds: Tiger Withdraws From Masters, Rory Assumes Top Spot

The biggest question leading up to next week’s Masters at Augusta National has been answered. Tiger Woods will not play after undergoing back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve that has hampered him for months and derailed his 2014 season.

The LVH SuperBook had Woods a 10-to-1 favorite to win the season’s first major prior to his withdrawal. Rory McIlroy, also at 10-to-1 odds prior to the news, is now the 8-to-1 favorite to put on the green jacket.

Other notables include Adam Scott and Jason Day at 10-to-1 apiece, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson at 15-to-1, and Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson at 20-to-1 odds.

With all of the attention on Tiger’s back, it’s easy to overlook the injuries that others in the field have been nursing.

Mickelson pulled a muscle on his right side in the Valero Texas Open last weekend, forcing him to withdraw from the event in the middle of the third round. He’s currently in the field for next week’s Shell Houston Open, but whether he actually tees off remains to be seen.

Jason Day is dealing with a thumb injury that forced him to withdraw from the WGC-Cadillac Championship and sit out the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The injuries at the top of the board appear to stack the chips in McIlroy’s favor, but some worry about his state of mind. It will be worth watching him at the Houston Open this weekend before laying a bet at his short price.

Considering the injuries and concerns surrounding the favorites for next week, this could be a prime opportunity to roll the dice on some players with longer odds.

Here are new odds to win the Masters, as well as updated golf props tied to the majors offered at the LVH.